The county thus organized and named is situated in the southern part of the State, on the Tennessee line, and in the eastern border of that section of Kentucky arbitrarily called the Southwest. It is bounded on the north by Muhlenburg County, east by Logan, south by Montgomery, in State of Tennessee, and west by Christian, and contains about 330 square miles. The county lies partly in the Green River Valley, and partly in that of the Cumberland River, and represents the characteristics of both valleys. The dividing line between these valleys passes in a northwesterly direction through Todd several miles above Elkton, throwing the northern portion into the ” Green River Country,” and the southern in the Cumberland Valley. Curiously enough, in this county, the characteristics of these valleys are transposed; the Green River portion is broken and underlaid by freestone, and lies within the mineral belt, while the lower part belongs to the cavernous limestone’ formation, and possesses those rich agricultural characteristics which have made the Green River Country famous as the great wheat producing area of the State. The Russellville and Hopkinsville road, passing northwesterly through Elkton, forms the general dividing line between these two sections. South from this the surface is a gently rolling expanse of arable country, with little timber and much lowland, ‘which for the lack of good artificial drainage is much of the year under water. North of this road the surface begins immediately to show the gradual rise and broken character which in the farther limits of the county develops into almost impassable cliffs, rising abruptly to the height of 300 feet in places. The main stream of the county is the Elk Fork of Red River; this taking its origin in Nance Creek and Sampson’s Branch, just north of Elkton, flows a southeasterly course to Allensville, flows thence in a more southerly direction, and crossing the Tennessee line forms the corner from which the lines of the county are projected. Three and five miles above the point where the Russellville and Hopkinsville road crosses the east line of Todd County, Double Lick Fork and Breathitt’s Branch cross into Logan County to form the Whippoorwill, and drain that portion of the country between Elkton and the dividing ridge northeast of the county rural picturesqueness is not excelled by any other locality in the State. The visitor is shown many places of natural interest, and others about which tradition or the vivid imagination of a later day has framed ” legends strange to hear.” The ” Narrows ” is a natural wagon trail-the only one by which the rocky barrier may be passed in many miles of its extent, which affords a good opportunity to gain some idea of it as an obstacle to travel. Sweating stones, almost as phenomenal as the sweating statue of old, are pointed out. These are vast masses of rock standing high up from the ground, in isolated positions, the surface of which is continually covered with a moisture so profuse as to drip to the ground in trickling streams. This seems to be the normal condition of these objects, and the ” oldest inhabitant,” who is everywhere noted for his close observation, is said never to have seen them in any other condition. This was suggested by the ” guide ” as typical of the mental state of one who should attempt to gain a livelihood by farming in this portion of the county, but for the fair fame of Todd this impertinent analogy should be scouted. The “Indian Ladder is a luxuriant, wild grapevine which has thrown out its tendrils along the face of the cliff, and grasping one tree or shrub after another has drawn itself with cords of strength from one point to another until it has reached a dizzy height. It is said that it leads to and covers the entrance to a considerable cave which in the olden time afforded shelter to the discomfited savage or a safe outlook to the runner of the tribe. Neither the cave nor the Indian is to be seen from the comfortable footing below it, and the ” evidence of things not seen,” probably rests entirely upon the conscience and imagination of the person who kindly shows up the region to the visitor. Besides these, there are buzzard roosts and dens of fabled monsters (now happily extinct) which, to use the language of the auction bill, are ” too numerous to mention.”
The lowlands of Todd, while of more utility and, therefore, less romantic, are not entirely devoid of natural objects of peculiar interest. Of these Pilot Rock is perhaps the. most striking. This is a vast mass of rock some 200 feet high, resting upon elevated ground and entirely isolated. Its summit is a level area of about half an acre in extent, covered with a small growth of timber and wild shrubbery, and is a pleasant resort, frequented by picnic parties from the neighboring country. It stands north of Fairview on the line between Christian and Todd Counties, the larger portion of the rock lying within the limits of the latter. Its elevated summit, which is gained without much difficulty, affords a fine view of the surrounding country for many. miles, presenting a prospect beautiful and picturesque. In the leafless season and a favoring atmosphere, it is said Hopkinsville, twelve miles away, may be distinctly seen from its summit, and in pioneer days it was known far and wide as an infallible landmark, hence its name. The cavernous limestone shows here the characteristics to be found elsewhere. Sink-holes are frequently found, but none of such character as to render them objects of especial interest. The tunneling of the Elk Fork a few miles in its course below Elkton, is characteristic of the rock formation found here. At the point where the river sinks out of sight, it originally flowed around and at the foot of a mass of rock some fifty feet high. A fissure made in its rock bed some forty feet from the base of the cliff, gave the water opportunity to burrow an underground passage which, gradually enlarging, has afforded passage for an increasing volume of water. Save in a very low stage of water a part of the river finds passage by its old course; the rest, dropping through the fissure in the bed, passes for several hundred yards under the obstructing mass of rock. The contracted form of the opening causes the descending water to take the form and bustle of a whirlpool, but it evidently falls to no great depth as it emerges into the open country without the precipitation of a spring, with a smooth, gliding motion which is gained in the short passage.
Featured:
- History of Todd County, Kentucky
- Origin and Formation of County
- Pioneer History
- Political and Government Development
- Social Development
- Todd County Military Records
- Elkton District
- Trenton Precinct
- Allensville Precinct
- Hadensville Precinct
- Fairview Precinct
- Kirkmansville Precinct
- Bivinsville Precinct
- Sharon Grove Precinct
- Biographies of Todd County, Kentucky
New Todd County Kentucky Genealogy
Hadensville, Todd County, Kentucky
What is known as Old Hadensville originally stood about one mile from the present village of that name on land now owned by Mr. Smith, and here some of the ruins of the buildings can yet be seen. As early, probably, as 1815, Elijah Haden settled on this farm, and it being a crossing of two public roads, he commenced to merchandise there, and for many years he did an extensive business. He was succeeded by Dr. Burton, who had a store there in about 1821. Alexander Chesnut merchandised there in about 1830. John C. Harlan, whom we have mentioned…
Hadensville Precinct, Todd County, Kentucky
THE district of Hadensville, or Guthrie, which forms the subject of the following pages, is a somewhat level body of land lying in the southeast portion of the county. It is bounded on the north by District No 6, Allensville; on the east by Logan County, on the south by Tennessee, and on the west by No. 5, Trenton. The surface of the district is somewhat diversified. In the south, especially in and around Guthrie, it is swampy, and at one time a part of the district was under water. In the center it is rolling, and in the north…
Guthrie, Todd County, Kentucky
In about 1867 the Louisville & Nashville road, which had been building, drew near completion, and in the early days of 1868 the cars commenced running on it. The road passed through the land owned by Mr. J. C. Kendal, and he conceived the plan of having a town here, and also to have the shops of the road located here. He accordingly laid out a town to which he gave the name of Guthrie, in honor of James Guthrie, of Louisville, who was then President of the road and Member of Congress from that district. Mr. Kendal was born…
Graysville, Todd County, Kentucky
In about 1833 Maj. Gray began running stage lines through the county. At the crossing of Elkton and Clarksville road with the Gallatin road, he put up a large hotel, and stables for the accommodation of guests, as some six lines all centered there. To this point he gave the name of Graysville. Besides the inn there were two or three stores there. John Brown and Thomas Allison both kept stores there, as well as James Brown, Ross Perkins and James Brenan. The stage lines only kept up a few years and then ceased running, and from that time the…
Geology of Todd County, Kentucky
No geological survey has been made of Todd County, and the State work is of such a general nature as to forbid the gathering of anything approaching a particular review of the geological features of this county from its pages. A brief general review is all that can be attempted in the time and space assigned to this topic here. The geological formations of Kentucky, in common with those of the other Western States, generally belong to that great system which extends from the Alleghenies on the east across the Mississippi and to the Rocky Mountains on the west. Throughout…
First Churches of Trenton Precinct, Todd County, Kentucky
The pioneers of this district were men who to a great extent were religiously inclined. Among the very early settlers were many identified with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. And to this denomination should be given the honor of holding the first religious services in this district. As early as 1809 a camp-meeting was con-ducted by these people two miles south of Trenton, on the place now known as the Reuben Bradley farm. It was on the edge of a large scope of open barren, but which is now heavily timbered. Here was the camp-meeting ground, with round-pole huts and camps.…
Fairview, Todd County, Kentucky
This little village, over which Todd and Christian Counties have for years striven to obtain the mastery, still lies where it always has, on the dividing line between the two belligerent counties, and situated on the main road from Russellville to Hopkinsville, about twelve miles east of the latter town. It was laid off on land belonging to Col. William Morrow in 1847, by act of the Legislature, approved February 7 of the previous year, Col. Nathaniel Burrus being the surveyor. The original plat, to which there have been no subsequent additions, consisted of twenty acres of land, lined off…
Fairview Precinct
THE early settlement of Todd County knew no method and observed no lines in fixing upon the site for a new home. The prejudice against the open country led the pioneers to seek the vicinity of streams, and here they hewed out a farm from the stubborn forest, and with laborious toil turned the wilderness into fruitful farms. Up to the adoption of the present Constitution, the voting precinct was at the county seat, but the inconvenience of this mode led to the organisation of districts with some marks of individuality. As then formed district lines served to mark the…
Early Means of Development of Todd County, Kentucky
The great hindrance to the development of pioneer society earliest felt, is the lack of ready intercommunication. A struggling settlement located on some convenient stream gathered about it the necessities of pioneer existence, and was in a large measure independent of the outside world. Several such isolated communities made up the county of Todd, and while visits were interchanged by families the only opportunity to come together in friendly emulation was on court days. But the nature of the early political status was such as to concentrate the vigor and executive power at the county seat, and the county really…
Educational Interests of Todd County, Kentucky
Under the social influence described in these pages it will be easily understood that popular education must be attended by many difficulties. Its value and importance were certainly under-rated by all classes, and it gained a foothold in Kentucky only through the strenuous exertions of a far-sighted few. Education was at first entirely in the hands of the church, which established seminaries at various points, primarily for the preparation of the clergy for ministerial work, but which were at once accepted by the wealthy portion of the church membership as a convenient means to give their children such accomplishments as…
The 1870 census of Todd County , Hadensville P.O. Includes William Furnish, age 20, school teacher, b. kY, living in the household of John H. Hooser. William ultimately married Hattie Hooser in Todd Co. in 1872. Family tradition states that William had a boys’ school which burned down. William and Hattie were counted in Lyon County, KY in 1880 where his occupation continued as a teacher. If a school did exist it may have been located in Lyon Co.
Have you any information about such a school? Newspapers for the area seem non-existent.
Thank you for considering this question.
I am trying, unsuccessfully, to locate any information on my great grandmother Queen Vashti Martin Murphy. She was married to JW Murphy and had my grandfather Marion F Murphy. I found her mother listed at Drusilla Martin Daniel but no father listed. I am trying to find out if she was born in Kirkmansville or where. Any help would be very greatly appreciated. Kim
Hi there, it seems we are related. Were you able to find any info on your ancestors? I’d love to compare research.
Julie- the Murphy line is a family that married into my Lawrence (Father’s). I haven’t done any real research on them but my email is creativecollecti@hotmail.com. Let’s connect by email and go from there. I am from Keysburg Logan CO, Allensville Todd CO area with both of my parents. Becky Lawrence Kendall
Hello Kimberly:
I am a descendent of the same Murphy line in Todd County as Queen Vashti Martin’s husband, John W. Murphy. I researched my ancestors for seven years ending 1996. That was before the internet was really a ‘thing’ so it was much slower going than today. I am now retired and have begun filling in blanks such as extended families like John W. Murphy, and to find documentation for conclusions I had based on the ‘right place at the right time’ method. Not sure how much you have on John’s family or would be interested in knowing from me, so please let me know where you are on that and I would be glad to help if possible.
I am searching for info on Daniel C Jackson 1835-1910 (Trenton Todd Co Ky) married to Martha Moody 1843-1908. He is a cousin but I don’t have any grandparents for him or anyone further back. Parents are John M Jackson/Nancy Redd Daniel.My direct email is creativecollecti@hotmail.com. Except for this particular family I have an extensive amount of research on the Jackson family and am willing to share. Becky Lawrence Kendall (Jackson,Prince,Bagby,Burchett main lines in Kentucky).
I believe the Daniel C Jackson you are looking for is one of my many great x3 Jackson uncles. His brother, John W Jackson,
is my great great grandfather and was the only one of this large family who moved away from the area where Daniel and his brothers and sisters lived. He moved to Boone County MO @1859 or so. I have info on this family also and would really appreciate knowing what you have and sharing what I know. I am especially interested in getting past the brick wall I’ve hit. So far the earliest of the Jackson and Daniel families I have are the parents of Daniel and my gg grandfather John W (and the other 7 children), the same names you have – John M Jackson and Nancy Redd Daniel. Where did you find your info? I’ve never found anyone with the same info I have until now.
I hope to hear from you soon
M Simone Eichelberger
The Wilson home burned down around 1916 in Allegre, Ky
Which Wilson would that be?
I’m looking for the black clardy’s families. many of them took on the name after slavery and owe lots of land in the now Fort Campbell,Ky
I am trying to find an obituary of Nannie Shoemake who died in 1955 and is buried in Stokes Community Cemetery. She was a Carter and married to Charles Shoemake.